I would like to compare apples to apples when it comes to the debate over wages and benefits of state employees vs. private-sector employees. I have been a correctional officer at the Waupun Correctional Institution for almost 30 years, so let's use this state job as an example.
The state correctional officer classification is a public-sector job so obviously it is subject to misconduct in public office laws. No one in the private sector is governed by this standard in his or her career choices.
Correctional officers are also responsible for the security and safety of inmates, staff and the general public. This is a responsibility that entails many violent physical confrontations in all correctional institutions that include breaking up fights, serious inmate-on-inmate assaults and inmate-on-staff assaults, all regardless of their own personal safety Don't forget that these prisons are dangerously overcrowded. There are many other expectations and duties that are placed on the state correctional officers. Who in the private sector are correctional officers being compared to in relation to wages and benefits for the work they do?
Correctional officers' starting pay is $14.89 an hour. Scott Walker is demanding immediate benefit concessions of $300 to $500 a month from these correctional officers. Who is going to do this dangerous state job for the resulting povertylike take-home pay? What would it take for you to do this job?
Sgt. Daniel Meehan
Waupun
SEPAC Note:
Sergeant Daniel Meehan is President of AFSCME Council 24 Local 18 and an elected representative for SPS on the AFSCME Council 24 Executive Board.
This opinion appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 12/15/2010.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/111962119.html
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How about if we pay those who risk their lives far more than those who push pencils?
ReplyDeleteOoops, then your whole screed falls apart.
So, I guess you will continue to use those that are valuable to defend those that aren't.
That is the power of a union.